71 911 T value

Jeff Winter · 03-28-2007, 09:58 AM

I`m going to throw out in front of you a commonly asked `theoretical` question. With that said I need to let you know I`m a long time Porsche owner and a professional mechanic as well as a 30 year SCCA racer.
I`ve owned a 69 911 E Targa and currently drive on sunny days a `68 912........... always looking for an excuse to head for the hills.
Now to the meat of the question........

I`ve found a very nice 71 911 T with 59 K original miles. It has a very recent repaint , guards red ( well done ) , absolutely no rust , immacualte interior and is a candidate for purchase for investment possibilities. I know that early 911s are comming up in value and knowing just how nice this one is I was wondering what this one might be worth today and down the road the next 10 years or so. I know the car`s previous history both how and where it was driven. I was surprised to see 14" Fuchs on the car thinking that Targas were the only ones that they came on. Any thoughts there? It has a new clutch and struts as well as a Bursch exhaust. Asking price is $18 K, might come down a thou or so.........
Would certainly appreciate any comments or opinions you might have. This car is tugging at me pretty hard.........would just have to convince the `other half` that is a good thing.
thanks, Jeff Winter

jkarolyi · 10:20 AM

A '71 T could be ordered with the comfort package which included hydraulic struts and the 14" Fuchs which allowed a softer-riding tire. I've never seen a roadworthy 911 still with those hydro shocks, most people replaced them with torsion bars.

In any case, a '71 911T isn't among the most desirable early cars, and I would not buy one as a long-term "investment". Repairs, maintenance, and insurance will eat away any gains you might make, even on a more desirable model like an "S". But if your "investment" takes into account your driving pleasure, then they are some of the best investments you can make!

16-17K seems like a fair price for it if it's as nice as you say, and red is the original color and not resale red. Post some detailed pictures and we can pass judgement.

randywebb · 03-28-2007, 10:19 AM

check Exl. to see if T's have been going up in value -- I think they have

I would not buy any 911 - ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW - as an investment. Stick with a low expenses mutual fund and make some money.

But, if you would like to own the car, and drive it, and fix it up... THEN you will want to get a thorough PPI and maybe buy it. Don't worry about the wheels - they can be swapped very easily. The critical things are the body shell's lack of rust and the motor. The interior can be a real bear to fix up also.

Jim727 · 03-28-2007, 11:27 AM

Jeff -

Agree completely with Randy and jkarolyi. Buy it to love it and give it a good home. It would be sad to see it end up as a frankenstein car if it's a good '71.

Mine's also a '71 and my mechanic relayed an unsolicited $20K offer a few months ago, so you're in the ballpark. Biggest pluses are a cherry interior and no rust. Biggest minus is the Guards Red - if that's really the color - as that was not a factory flavor in '71 as I recall; check for color change. Expect some issues with seals and collect any parts you can for the distributor (if it's a Marelli) plus a carb gasket kit or two. 14" rims were available on a '71T even without the hydro-struts. Bursch exhaust has to go, eh?

Great find! Buy it 'cause you want it and will love it - it's not an investment (my $0.02).

Jeff Winter · 03-28-2007, 11:39 AM

You are correct on the `guards red` comment. This car was a dark red originally but a quality repaint in a `near` guards red was done........ correctly. I actually like this `near guards red` better than the real GR. Color is absolutely not an issue. As to the 14" wheels etc., My 69 E Targa had the dreaded hydraulic struts which I relaced with S parts from a salvage yard. I had forgoted about the Hydraulic / 14" combo. In this case the front struts as I am told have been replaced, but I havn`t asked " with what"? Would this be a 2.2 or a 2.4? If I had the balls to offer 14K and he took it would this change anyone`s opinion of an investment / I plan on storing, not driving.

Type911 · 03-28-2007, 11:43 AM

71 should be a 2.2 w/ zenith carbs.

For the miles & condition as you describe, despite the non-orig
repaint. $14K would be a steal. Buy it, drive it, don't consider it
an investment. Well, maybe an investment in time & upgrades

Jeff Winter · 03-28-2007, 12:12 PM

yooooou guys are kill`n me! My days of driving with `spirit` on the road are pretty much gone. I`ve been racing wheel to wheel on track now for 30 years and love it but it`s also taught me to reserve my `need for speed` for the track. Seems I can`t exceed the speedlimit by more than 1.5 mph before I see lights in the mirror.......it really bites! The 912 keeps me at a sane pace which I feel is a good thing seeings how I just enjoy the taughtness and precise handling. Now , not to encite you 911 guys......... but I confess the `balance` of the 912 (less weight in the rear ) is more comforting `on the edge` than the six cyln weight hung out in the back....... that being said, a GTI will show me his tail lights.

a catch 22 at it`s best.

Next big obsticle is to convince the `war department` that this is an STORED investment............

................ to be continued.

jkarolyi · 03:12 PM

Sounds like you've already made up your mind. Hate to tell ya bud...maintenance, repair, and insurance on a stored 911 will still eat away your value gains. These cars deteriorate when they sit and end up costing you as much or more to bring them out of storage than if you had driven them the whole time! If you like I can send you a copy of the bill for the parts I needed to replace after buying a 10-year-stored 911.

These cars are meant to be driven, and a non-original '71 T is not an ideal candidate for a garage queen, no matter how nice. YOU may think the resale red is great, but will the next guy? My guess is no.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...my advise is to just keep the 912 and enjoy it. If you want an investment, try to figure out what's going to be the next Hemi Cuda. A '71 T aint it.

Jeff Winter · 03-28-2007, 04:02 PM

Thanks Jay.........
I`ll take that as good advice.

` guess that`s what I need to hear. I do agree completely with you......it needs to be driven. Too bad I`m not in the market for a sweet driver, this one`s a beauty. sigh..........

then there`s

" I`ve been a good boy Santa .............. honest, I have ! "